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Opposition says Syrian forces rounding up people in Tartus region

Syrian opposition groups charged Friday that government forces were continuing to round up people in a village near Syria's Mediterranean coast where an alleged massacre left scores dead. A major opposition umbrella group, known as the Syrian National Coalition, said troops and pro-government militia executed at least 150 people, including women and children, Thursday in the village of Bayda, in the coastal region of Tartus. The coalition labeled the killings “genocide” and said corpses had been burned. Other opposition accounts spoke of heavy bombardment and mass arrests. Latimes reports The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition group, said government sweeps continued in the area on Friday and that loyalist forces were taking away many residents. Opposition activists called for the Red Cross and other international organizations to head to the area in a bid to stop the violence. United Nations observers who once responded to reports of mass killings i

Google recognises Palestine

Google has recognised the Palestinians' upgraded UN status, placing the name "Palestine" on its search engine instead of "Palestinian Territories". The domain name www.google.ps, Google's search engine for the territories, now brings up a homepage with "Palestine" written underneath the Google logo. The change took effect on Wednesday, Google spokesman Nathan Tyler said in a statement. Smh reported "We're changing the name 'Palestinian Territories' to 'Palestine' across our products. We consult a number of sources and authorities when naming countries. In this case, we are following the lead of the UN ... and other international organisations," he said. Advertisement The UN General Assembly in November upgraded Palestine to the status of non-member observer state by a vote of 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions. Palestinian authorities have since begun to use the "State of Palestine" in dipl

U.S. believes Israel has conducted an airstrike into Syria

United States believes Israel has conducted an airstrike into Syria, CNN reported on Friday, citing two unnamed U.S. officials. CNN quoted the officials as saying Israel most likely conducted the strike "in the Thursday-Friday time frame" and that Israel's warplanes did not enter Syrian airspace. Reuters reported It said the officials did not believe Israel had targeted a chemical weapons facility. There was no immediate confirmation. A White House spokeswoman referred questions on the CNN report to the Israeli government. In Jerusalem, an Israeli defense official declined comment, and a military spokeswoman said, "We do not comment on reports of this kind." The CNN report said that during the time frame of the attack, the United States had collected information showing Israeli warplanes overflying Lebanon. Israel has made clear in the past that it might intervene to prevent Syrian advanced weapons falling into the hands of militant groups, including Lebanon'

US to tightens student visa rules after Boston bombing

The US is tightening its screening of international students, its first security change in response to the Boston Marathon bombings last month. The move comes after a student from Kazakhstan - who did not have a valid visa - was accused by police of hiding evidence for one of the bomb suspects. The Department of Homeland Security has ordered border agents to automatically check the visa status of every student. Bbc reported Azamat Tazhayakov had returned to the US despite being dismissed from school. The 19-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday, accused of helping to throw out a backpack belonging to his friend, Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. No second check Mr Tazhayakov's student visa had been terminated by the time he arrived in New York on 20 January, following his academic dismissal from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth on 4 January. The Department of Homeland Security will "effective immediately" verify that every international student visa is

California wildfire grows to 18,000 acres; 20% contained

The Springs fire has scorched at least 18,000 acres between Pacific Coast Highway and the 101 Freeway, damage worsened by a harrowing about-face shift in winds that sent the fire roaring back to the north. The latest estimate from the Ventura County Fire Department said the blaze was only 20% contained as of 4:15 p.m. Officials said flames have crept within 100 feet of homes in Hidden Valley as the fire veered dangerously close to luxury homes and ranches in the area. More than 1,000 firefighters were battling the blaze, with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft flying through thick smoke to drop water and flame retardant. Latimes reports Residents in Hidden Valley, the southern part of Newbury Park, and off Portrero Road have been ordered to evacuate. Evacuations in Sycamore Canyon, Deer Canyon, Brome Ranch, La Jolla Canyon, and Yerba Buena remained in effect, Ventura County fire officials said. Evacuations for the Cal State Channel Islands campus and Dos Vientos area have been lifted

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at job': Brian Stelter said in his book "Top Of The Morning"

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at job': Brian Stelter said in his book "Top Of The Morning" - New York Times reporter Brian Stelter has a new book out called "Top Of The Morning." In it, he explains how NBC's "Today" show finally gave up a 15-year ratings winnings streak against ABC's "Good Morning America." We had Stelter in for an interview and asked him who deserves the blame for the loss. He said NBC executives, who let the show "get stale" amidst its winning streak. He also said fired co-host Anne Curry didn't help. "She wasn't good at the job."

Vonn without Tiger: at the NYC Gala says He's Practicing

Vonn without Tiger at recent NYC gala and said tiger wood Practicing. Tiger Woods missed out! Lindsey Vonn got all dressed up to attend the Delete Blood Cancer Gala at Cipriani in NYC on Wednesday, May 1 -- but she had to walk the red carpet without Woods. "He's practicing," the 28-year-old professional skier told E! News of her boyfriend's absence. (Vonn and golf pro Woods, 37, confirmed their relationship on Facebook in March.) UsMagazine reports Though she didn't have a date, Vonn still went all out with a glam ensemble for the occasion. "Hair by Mario Mele and makeup by Mac Cosmetics artist Fatima T for the gala tonight. More info to come!" the blonde gold medalist tweeted with a gorgeous headshot. On the carpet, Vonn showed off her stunning blue Derek Lam dress and even posed with the designer himself. "Love this dress," she captioned beneath a photo. In addition to her boyfriend, Vonn was missing another accessory on the carpet -- her k

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at her job': As per the Brian Stelter

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at her job' as per the Brian Stelter. Brian Stelter is speaking out about Anne Curry and her getting fired. On April 28, Business Insider posted about how he said she "wasn't good at her job." Do you think that he is taking it too far? In his new book called "Top of the Morning," Brian says that Anne was not good at her job and really has nothing nice to say about her. He says that "Good Morning America" started beating out the "Today" show after 15 years and is even blaming part of it on Anne Curry and how well she did on her job. He also thinks that NBC let the show get stale and that was the other reason they had issues. This media reporter is not keeping his mouth shut about what he thinks about Anne. So far she is not speaking out back or saying what she thinks of him but this could get ugly before it gets better. Do you see Anne Curry as the reason the show isn't doing as well? Sound off in the

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at job'

Anne Curry 'wasn't good at job' started to trend online as the major news site broke news about Anne curry wasn't good at job. New York Times reporter Brian Stelter has a new book out called "Top Of The Morning." In it, he explains how NBC's "Today" show finally gave up a 15-year ratings winnings streak against ABC's "Good Morning America." Finance.yahoo reported   We had Stelter in for an interview and asked him who deserves the blame for the loss. He said NBC executives, who let the show "get stale" amidst its winning streak. He also said fired co-host Anne Curry didn't help. "She wasn't good at the job."

Vonn without Tiger: Lindsey parties in NYC solo without Woods

Lindsey Vonn was without Tiger Woods when she attended the Delete Blood Cancer Gala Thursday night in NYC. The professional skiier and her golfer beau have not done public appearances together as of yet, but of course Vonn was asked where Tiger was. E! Online shared the details on May 2. Vonn simply said that Woods was not at the gala because he was practicing. This was her first event since her frightening injury at the Alpine World Championships in February, but it seems she is doing well. She said that she is aiming to begin skiing again in September, and she has her eye on the Olympics next February. Lindsey's doctor wants her to ski with her brace for a while, but she says she dumped it for the gala event. It certainly seems like she is in good spirits and working hard to get back into solid shape for the slopes. While fans are anxious to see the romantic duo together in public, for now they will have to settle for Lindsey Vonn without Tiger Woods on her arm.

Kris Jenner's new wig: Looking like a just '60s model

Kris Jenner wore a new wig with green dress in Greece this week, reported Daily Mail on May 2. The dark, shoulder-length hair was in a style reminiscent of the 1960s. The wife of U.S. track and field athlete Bruce Jenner, completed the look with a silk bandana tied around her head. She also covered her body with a green bikini and a green dress, but the dress flew open several times as photos were taken of the 57-year-old jet-skiing on vacation with her family. Jenner has been open about the plastic surgery she's received, such as a facelift and breast augmentation. "Everyone needs a fresh set every 20 years," said Kris. Much has been made of the Kardashian's Greece trip this week. One person who was not present for most of it was Kim Kardashian. Her boyfriend, Kanye West, flew in from Paris to visit with the family. However, he flew back to Paris, with Kim, to continue working on his music. This week Kanye tweeted "June Eighteen" with no explanation. Fans

Kris Jenner's new wig: KUWTK star waves with new wig in Greece

Kris Jenner's new wig photo has hit the web, and people are definitely talking about this one. Us Weekly shared the photo and the details on May 2 of the new look that is garnering all the attention. Jenner was in Greece and decided to throw on a long wig as she rode a jet ski in the Aegean Sea. Will people love it or hate it? Jenner was with her daughter Kylie in Greece, and for some unknown reason she decided to throw on a wig as she jumped on a jet ski. Perhaps she was trying to go incognito, or maybe she just felt like feeling the wind whip through her hair. In any case, the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star and infamous “momager” threw on a green bikini and cover-up, shades, the wig and a bandana as she rode a jet ski. Will it show up on “KUWTK”? It seems it might, as they were being filmed throughout their vacation in Greece. By the time the Jenner/Kardashian crew returned home, Kris Jenner's new wig was nowhere to be seen. Will it make further appearances? Fans w

Kris Jenner new wig: Kris Jenner wears new and long wig on a Jet Ski

Kris Jenner new wig was waving in the air while she was riding a jet ski on the water in Greece. If you’ve been keeping up with the Kardashians then you know the family is currently vacationing in Greece where’ve they’ve spent a great deal of time modeling bikinis, hanging out on a yacht, and jet skiing. Wednesday was no different in that regard, but the long-haired bikini-clad brunette having a blast on a jet ski this time around wasn’t one of the sisters, it was momager Kris Jenner! Yes, I said “long-haired.” Kris had a little fun with a brand new look that included a wig, sunglasses, and a bandana — which may have been more of a practical decision than an aesthetic one given the likelihood of a wig blow off while pounding the waves! Starcasm reports The 57-year-old Jenner wore a light emerald green bikini with a matching over-sized shirt that gave the folks in Mykonos (and now you) a little glimpse of her beta omicron omicron betas, if you know what I mean: And check out this ph

Kris Jenner new wig: Kris wears Long Wig While Riding a Jet Ski

Kris Jenner new wig wears while riding a jet ski in greece. Kris Jenner wears a wig while riding a jetski in the Aegean Sea, Greece on May 1, 2013. Credit: Brian Prahl/Splash News Kris Jenner really let her hair down to enjoy the last day of her family vacation in Greece. The 57-year-old momager decided to style a dark shoulder-length wig while riding a jet ski in the Aegean Sea in Greece on Wednesday, May 1. Jenner went for an ultra-glam look while racing her youngest daughter Kylie, 15. She slipped on the long wig over her short pixie cut and secured it with a bandana. USmagazine reported The soon-to-be talk show host also wore a bright green beach cover-up over her matching bikini and hot pink lipstick. But later that same day, Jenner was photographed landing back in Los Angeles styling her typical short 'do. The whole Kardashian family spent the past week soaking up the sun together in Greece -- and filming Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Kim Kardashian, however, cut her vis

Kris Jenner new wig: Kris Jenner Rocks a New Wig

Kris Jenner new wig as Kris Jenner was hardly recognizable in a dark shoulder-length wig while riding a jet ski in the Aegean Sea in Greece earlier this week. Mama Kris showed off her new tresses while she was racing on the jet ski with her her daughter Kylie, 15, during the family vacation. Rather than go for a long-term change, the Kardashian matriarch secured a long wig with a bandana over her standard short pixie cut. With her temporary hairdo, Kris joins in the celebrity trend of trying out a 'do before making a permanent change. Here are some of the other celebs who have tested out new tresses:  Omg.yahoo reported Jennifer Aniston: The former "Friends" star was nearly unrecognizable in a blonde wig while filming her latest film which is currently without a formal name. For the "Untitled Elmore Leonard Project," Aniston slipped into a puffy black coat with a bright blonde wig covering up her legendary locks. The look was capped off with a brown beret.

Tsarnaev wife refuses to talk

Tsarnaev wife refuses to talk to authorities and is communicating through Lawyer. Ever since Boston police identified the Boston Marathon bombing suspects as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, authorities have been digging into the brothers’ pasts to learn why they wanted to hurt people at the finish line of the marathon. In addition to finding out that over $100,000 in government assistance has gone to the Tsarnaev family, authorities found female DNA on bomb parts recovered at the scene of the bombings. Now, The New York Times is reporting that Dzhokhar has revealed some of the bombing plot to the F.B.I. From his hospital bed, the alleged bomber told police that he and Tamerlan had originally planned to plant their bombs on the Fourth of July. Their bomb-making proceeded more quickly than planned, and the Boston Marathon was chosen as the target. Dzhokhar also reportedly stated that the bombings were partly motivated by the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he and his brot

Teen mom banned: Mom's Picture banned for posing with son

Teen mom banned after picture of a teen mom holding her son has been banned from the Wheatmore High School yearbook. According to KLTV 's report on May. 3, the teen mom, 17-year old Caitlin Tiller, was told by the school last summer that she was allowed to include a prop in her senior picture that represents an achievement or something that is an extension of them. Tiller and other students said the invitation did not include rules or requirements. Tiller says that after hearing about the news that she could have a "prop" in her senior picture, the choice for her was easy-- 1-year-old Leelin, her son. “He helped me get to where I am today,” said Tiller who is 17. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.” However, school officials told Tiller her photo "promoted" teen pregnancy, so it was not allowed. However, Tiller still says the photo represents "responsibility and love." "The love that I have for my son and how he has helped me achieve

Teen mom banned: From the high school yearbook

A teen mom banned from her high school yearbook is standing by her decision to submit a photo of herself with her son. According to a May 3 The Hollywood Gossip report, Caitlin Tyler, 17 is fighting the school to get the photo of herself with her baby put in the yearbook. The school invited seniors to submit a photo of themselves holding a prop which showcases their greatest accomplishment. Some showed off a football or clarinet. Caitlin held her one-year-old son. The school refuses to allow the photo, saying it promotes teenage pregnancy. Tyler says it is because of her baby boy that she has become responsible and focused on building a strong future. Stars of the MTV reality show “Teen Mom” and “Teen Mom 2,” including Farrah Abraham and Jenelle Evans, have shared similar sentiments. Unfortunately, the reality stars drug abuse, porn films and other scandalous behavior may cast a bad light on teenage mothers who are making less questionable decisions. What are your thoughts? Should a t

Chris Kelly overdose suspected: Kris Kross rapper may died from drug over-use

Chris Kelly’s cause of death hasn’t been revealed, but an overdose is suspected to have killed the Kris Kross rapper, Access Hollywood reported on May 2. According to the report, Donna Kelly Pratt, Chris’ mother, confirmed that he had taken a mixture of heroin and cocaine the night before his death. An overdose is now suspected as Chris Kelly’s cause of death. Kelly, one half of the rap duo, Kris Kross, was found dead in his Atlanta home on. Examiner reports Kelly and his partner, Chris Smith shot to fame in the 1990’s with songs like “Jump” and “I Missed The Bus,” and were known for wearing their clothes backwards, which sparked an odd trend during their popularity. Kelly’s family claim that Chris battled with drug addiction for years, and that they often “brought Kelly home to recover from his drug use and had done this several times in the past." What are your thoughts on and overdose being suspected in Chris Kelly’s death?

Vonn without Tiger

Vonn without Tiger. Lindsay Vonn without Tiger Woods by her side, attended the Delete Blood Cancer Gala in New York City last night. Before anyone starts to worry, E Online reported on May 3 that Vonn said there is no problems, but Tiger Woods is just practicing. Fans of Vonn might be interested to know that she showed up at the big annual event without her knee brace, as she continues to recover from her terrible knee injury suffered at the Alpine World Championships in Austria last year. Vonn was racing in her bread and butter event when she crashed and suffered what doctors called a complex knee injury. Luckily, the injury only ended her season but not her career. She has been rehabbing the knee and said things are going well. Without the knee brace on, she enthusiastically said she is on pace for the Olympics in February. The appearance without her boyfriend might have caused some concern, especially considering Tiger's past indiscretions, but Vonn just shook it off because he

Kelly overdose suspected: Drugs may caused Kris Kross rapper's death

Chris Kelly overdose is the suspected cause of the death of the 34-year-old former rap star. According to E TV on May 2, Kelly's mother told officers about drugs that her son was mixing together. Donna Kelly Pratt, the mother of the former Kris Kross star known as Mac Daddy, told police that Kelly has been fighting substance abuse problems and had returned home several times in the past to try to recover from the dependency. Kelly was found dead in his Atlanta home on Wednesday. Pratt told police that he had taken a mixture of heroin and cocaine the night before his death and she said he had felt nauseous all morning and then passed out around 3 p.m. The medical examiner reported that he died at 4:30 p.m. Examiner reports Kelly reached popularity at the young age of 13 when his band Kris Kross broke out with the hit single "Jump." Kelly and his partner in the band, Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith became popular for their high energy beats and the fact that they wore th

Vonn without Tiger: Tiger Woods Girlfriend Parties Without Him in NYC

Tiger Woods beautiful new girlfriend Lindsey Vonn is partying without her boyfriend this weekend, Vonn was in New York City to attend the annual Delete Blood Cancer Gala. Tiger is in Florida, working on his golf game. Don't worry - there are no issues between the new couple (one tabloid recently suggested that Tiger was ready to dump Lindsey for ex wife Elin Nordegren, but that proved untrue), Lindsey has her causes she wants to support and attend and Tiger Woods has to practice and is preparing for the Players Championship next week, an important PGA golf tournament considered golf's "fifth major." Nypost reported During the interview in New York, Lindsey informs E! she has her brace off from a recent ski injury and was very excited to be traveling without the brace. Vonn said she wore the brace at the 2013 Masters Golf Tournament where she attended and cheered on Tiger Woods from the gallery, and though she can now keep it off for daily activities, she will st

Lindsey Vonn Attends Event Solo without beau Tiger Woods

Vonn without Tiger woods attends the event solo and says the Golf player is practicing, Lindsey Vonn attended the Delete Blood Cancer Gala in the Big Apple last night but her boyfriend Tiger Woods was noticeably absent. When asked where her golfer beau was, the blonde beauty told E! News , “He’s practicing.” Woods is prepping for the Players Championship next week. Although she was solo for the evening, Vonn was eager to walk her first red carpet without a knee brace. "I'm still in rehab, things are going really well. The knee is coming along quite nicely. But I should start skiing in September and everything's right on track for the Olympics in February," she told E!. The Olympic skier injured herself in a horrific fall during this year’s World Championships. Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix Lindsey Vonn, without her leg brace, hits the 2013 Delete Blood Cancer Gala at Cipriani Wall Street Woods and Vonn announced their long-rumored romance in March with a series of co

Vonn without Tiger: Lindsey Vonn attends NYC party without Tiger

Vonn without Tiger was seen attending Nyc party this Thursday night. Lindsey Vonn was in New York City on Thursday night for a gala, but boyfriend Tiger Woods couldn't make it, according to E! Online. Professional skiier Lindsey Vonn attended the annual Delete Blood Cancer Gala in New York City last night, and we couldn't help but notice she was missing a certain someone next to her. Golf reports Regardless, the beautiful blonde was eager to arrive at the event, especially as it was her first outing without her knee brace; she got injured at the Alpine World Championships in Schladming, Austria in February. "I'm still in rehab, things are going really well. The knee is coming along quite nicely. But I should start skiing in September and everything's right on track for the Olympics in February," she told E! News. "I just dumped the brace. This is my first trip without the brace, so I'm really excited. But, unfortunately my doctor wants me to ski with

Kelly overdose suspected: Kelly Drug Overdose Suspected in Rapper's Death

Kelly overdose suspected  in Rapper's Kris Kross Death. Atlanta-area authorities are investigating the death of Chris Kelly, half of the 1990s rap duo Kris Kross, as a possible drug overdose, Fulton County Police Cpl. Kay Lester said Thursday. Kelly, 34, died Wednesday at an Atlanta hospital after he was found unresponsive at his home, police said. After paramedics took him to the hospital, a woman who identified herself as Kelly’s friend told an investigator that Kelly had taken a mixture of heroin and cocaine Tuesday night, and that she had brought Kelly home “to recover from his drug use,” according to a police report. Betty Honey, with the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, said that an autopsy showed no signs of trauma or foul play. A toxicology report is expected to be complete in three to four weeks, at which point, a cause of death will likely be determined, she said. Kelly, together with Chris Smith, shot to stardom in 1992 with “Jump,” which spent eight weeks on top

Kelly Ripa 1996 photo: Kelly Ripa shows 1996 Photo of her Vegas Wedding

Kelly Ripa 1996 photo from Vegas Wedding. In the world of showbiz, divorces are as common as Botox and it’s not easy to name a celebrity couple who's still happily together after more than a decade and a half of marriage. Well, Kelly Ripa and Marc Consuelos are one of the few! The couple celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary on Wednesday and to mark the occasion, the “Live With Kelly and Michael” host posted to Twitter a pic of herself and her hubby back on the day they tied the knot. Omg.yahoo reports “OMG. Here it is. 5/1/96,” Ripa, 42, wrote alongside the old shot, that showed the then-25-year-old tanned and blond bride in spaghetti straps staring into the eyes of her groom, also 25, who wore what looked like a black blazer. As for why the decor in the pic is so, er, tacky (behind them are pink valance curtains with gold trim; in front of them sits an altar with ornate ironwork), well, it’s because they got married in Vegas! A more current shot of the expanded Ripa-Consuelos

Kelly Ripa 1996 photo: Star shared 17 years old wedding photo

Kelly Ripa 1996 photo of her wedding to Mark Consuelos 17 years ago. Kelly Ripa got married to Mark Consuelos 17 years ago. On May 2, E! Online posted a photo from 1996 that she shared on her Twitter page. This picture shows off the two on their wedding day looking really happy. Check out the picture at this link . They look adorable and are staring in each other's eyes. It is a picture that you can tell is from the happiest day of their lives as they look so in love. Mark has on a dress shirt that is black and she has on her wedding dress. Her dress is very sparkly and has small spaghetti straps on it. In her tweet the TV host says that she loves him just like it has been 17 days and it is 17 years later. They are still very much in love and have a great marriage from what everyone sees. It is nice to see a Hollywood marriage working out so well. What do you think of Kelly Ripa's 1996 photo? Sound off in the comments.

TV host sex addiction: David Tutera accused of sex addiction by partner

TV host David Tutera of "My Fair Wedding" has been accused of having a sex addiction by his soon-to-be ex-domestic partner, Ryan Jurica. Tutera, 47, has built his brand on all things bridal as a wedding wizard of sorts, transforming clients' lackluster nuptials into celebrity-style affairs on his makeover show for WeTV. He and Jurica had a ceremony in Vermont in September 2003 but separated on New Year's Day 2013, according to Tutera's Los Angeles County Superior Court filing obtained by People. The document cited "irreconcilable differences, with David seeking full custody of their unborn twins, visitation for Jurica and denial of spousal support, and asking Jurica to pay legal fees related to the split. The wedding planner filed the court documents to end their decade-long partnership on April 19, but it turns out that two days prior, on April 17, Jurica had filed documents of his own to dissolve it. He claimed Tutera had an "addiction to sex" and

Hundreds evacuated as Banning fire burns thousands of acres

A fast-moving brush fire powered by Santa Ana winds raged out of control Wednesday in Riverside County, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes and creating a thick pall of smoke that stretched for miles and affected air quality in the region. The Summit fire, which had charred at least 2,950 acres near Banning, spread quickly after breaking out shortly after noon as hundreds of firefighters struggled to create containment lines and protect homes, officials said. The blaze destroyed at least one home and left one firefighter with minor injuries. Firefighters were able to take advantage of a lull in the winds Wednesday night and reported that the fire was 35% contained. The blaze erupted on a day when officials issued warnings for extreme fire danger. The fire also came as federal officials released a report saying that the potential for wildland fires would be above normal for California and other parched areas of the West during the summer months. California Department of Fore

Hotmail officially dead: Microsoft's Hotmail switch to Outlook.com now complete

Hotmail officially is officially dead but don't worry you have the latest Outlook.com for you. Microsoft's Hotmail client has been officially consigned to history, with the company today announcing the transition to Outlook.com has been completed. In a post on the Outlook blog, the company said all Hotmail users have now been transfered over to the new service, all in the six weeks since Outlook came out of public preview in mid-February. The company said it now has 400 million active Outlook users, which is almost halfway to its eventual goal of amassing 1 billion regularly used accounts, while building 'the best email service in the world'. The company has been very active as it moves towards the target, integrating Skype calls , launching a new Android experience, an Outlook calendar, and two-step security verification. Seriously deep SkyDrive While Hotmail is now strictly past tense in Microsoft's world, the company again moved to ensure users they'll stil

Rat-meat ring busted: China arrests over 900 in rat-meat scandal

Rat-meat ring busted by the authorities in china. China officials has detained 900 people for meat-related crimes including selling rat and fox meat as beef and mutton, the public security ministry says. News of the three-month operation added to a string of scandals that have galvanised public concern from recycled cooking oil to dangerous chemicals in baby milk powder. Altogether there were "382 cases of water-injected meat, fake mutton and beef, diseased meat, toxic and harmful meat products", the ministry said on its website on Thursday. Smh.com.au reports "Nine hundred and four suspects were arrested, more than 20,000 tonnes of various types of fake or inferior meat products were confiscated." Advertisement The crimes ranged from sellers in eastern Jiangsu province making fake mutton from fox, rat and chemicals, and others in southwestern Guizhou province mixing hydrogen peroxide solution with chicken claws. The scandal became a hot topic among users of China&

Rat-meat ring busted: Rat Meat Sold as Lamb Highlights Food Fears in China

Even for China’s scandal-numbed diners, news that the lamb simmering in the pot may actually be rat took the country’s endless outrages about food hazards into a new realm of disgust. In an announcement intended to show that the government is serious about improving food safety, the Ministry of Public Security said over the Internet on Thursday that the police had caught traders in eastern China who bought rat, fox and mink flesh and sold it as mutton. But that and other cases of meat smuggling, faking and adulteration that were also featured in Chinese newspapers and Web sites on Friday were unlikely to instill confidence in consumers already queasy over many reports about meat, fruit and vegetables laden with disease, toxins, and banned dyes and preservatives. The police arrested 63 suspects accused of “buying fox, mink and rat and other meat products that had not undergone inspection,” which they doused in gelatin, red pigment, and nitrates, and sold as mutton in Shanghai and adjace

Hip-hop producer shot: AraabMUZIK producer is Recovering in Hospital

Hip-hop producer shot and is hospitalized is recovering in hospital after he was shot during an attempted robbery on Wednesday night. Abraham Orellana, the hip-hop producer known as AraabMUZIK, has been shot and is hospitalized. Orellana’s publicist said in a statement late Thursday that he is “currently alive and well” after being shot Wednesday night, noting he was in the wrong place at the wrong time while hanging out with friends. Police are investigating. News.yahoo reported The statement said he was in his neighborhood when he was shot, but didn’t specify a city. Orellana’s hometown is Providence, R.I. The producer’s manager, George Moore, a record label executive and producer known as DukeDaGod posted on Twitter a picture of Orellana in a hospital bed Thursday with the words: “Everyone wish my brother (at)araabmuzik a healthy & pleasant recovery!!! Rapper Avatar Darko was the first to reveal the drama, writing in a series of posts on his Twitter.com page, "(Pray

Rat-meat ring busted: 904 suspects arrested in rat-meat ring scandal

Rat-meat ring busted by the Chinese authorities with over 900 suspects been arrested in rat-meat scandle. Chinese police have broken a crime ring that passed off more than $1 million in rat and small mammal meat as mutton, authorities said, in a food safety crackdown that coincides with a bird flu outbreak and other environmental pressures. Authorities have arrested 904 suspects since the end of January for selling and producing fake or tainted meat products, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday. During the crackdown, police discovered one suspect surnamed Wei who had used additives to spice up and sell rat, fox and mink meat at markets in Shanghai and Jiangsu province. Police arrested 63 suspects connected to the crime ring in a case valued at more than 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) in sales since 2009. News.yahoo reports Despite persistent efforts by police, "food safety crimes are still prominent, and new situations are emer

All-round education in schools comes at a price

Schools are set to be more fun from June, but a tad more expensive. The Madras high court ruling on Monday allowing schools to charge for extracurricular activities after school hours has encouraged schools to consider bringing back all the activities they cut out because they couldn't afford them. After the Tamil Nadu Schools (Regulation of Collection of Fee) Act 2009 was passed, many private school heads said extracurricular activities would be the first casualty . Schools which maintained smooth relations with parents did not have to cut down on after-school activities as they could charge for them without having parents knocking at their gates in protest. Institutions that had a small section of the parents protesting against fee charged in excess of that prescribed by the committee made the activities optional , while those that had a majority of the parents insisting on governmentprescribed fee were forced to cancel activities after class hours . Heads of some schools said i

Torrid times

Heat can kill if it is dealt with carelessly. The summer of 2010 is a black mark in the city's history. A total of 310 Amdavadis lost their lives in a single day - May 21 - because of temperatures that peaked at 46.5 degrees Celsius. The relation between deaths and heat waves was recently studied by the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH). This happens to be the only study of its kind in the country and will be published shortly. It took experts two years to make a detailed correlation of deaths in different areas of the city with temperatures.The study found that between May 1 and May 19, when temperatures hovered around the 43-degree mark and over, the number of deaths remained between 100 and 150 a day, because of the heat wave. On May 20, the number of deaths in just a single day was reported to be close to 200, while the following day - May 21 - when temperatures peaked to 46.5 degrees, 310 individuals died.Most of the dead were slum dwellers, the old, newborns and outdo

2002 riots: Judge's transfer to delay proceedings on Zakia Jafri's plea

Court proceedings on Zakia Jafri's complaint - against chief minister Narendra Modi and others with regard to the 2002 riots - will be delayed, as the metropolitan magistrate hearing the case, B J Ganatra, has been transferred to an Anand court.Ganatra is one of over 100 officers of the lower judiciary transferred across the state.The special investigation team (SIT) had already started arguments against Zakia's protest petition. The magistrate's transfer will stall proceedings for a while now. The further course will now be decided on May 15, which has been listed by the court for formal proceedings.The name of the metropolitan magistrate to preside over Court No. 11 has not been finalized yet.Meanwhile, CBI magistrate A Y Dave has been transferred to Godhra. It was before this additional chief judicial magistrate that CBI filed two chargesheets in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, and accused cop N K Amin proposed to become approver three years ago.

Bamrauli airport to get major facelift

A team of Airport Authority of India (AAI) is likely to visit the city next week to finalise the project for construction of a new terminal and upgradation of the existing facilities at the Bamrauli airport. After completion of the project, it would be possible to operate big aircraft and many more flights from the airport. An AAI team led by its Chairman V P Agarwal and Executive Director Kalpana Sethi held talks with Sunita Singh, state's Civil Aviation Secretary and Secretary to the Chief Minister, in Lucknow on Wednesday to finalise the project. Following consultations, the AAI team would be visiting Allahabad next week to give final touches to the project. District authorities said with the proposed extension (in terms of both length and width) and improvement of the airstrip at Bamrauli, big aircrafts would be able to land and take off conveniently, putting the city on the civil aviation map of India. Allahabad DM Raj Shekhar told TOI: "Besides upgradation of the runway

Bamrauli airport to get major facelift

A team of Airport Authority of India (AAI) is likely to visit the city next week to finalise the project for construction of a new terminal and upgradation of the existing facilities at the Bamrauli airport. After completion of the project, it would be possible to operate big aircraft and many more flights from the airport. An AAI team led by its Chairman V P Agarwal and Executive Director Kalpana Sethi held talks with Sunita Singh, state's Civil Aviation Secretary and Secretary to the Chief Minister, in Lucknow on Wednesday to finalise the project. Following consultations, the AAI team would be visiting Allahabad next week to give final touches to the project. District authorities said with the proposed extension (in terms of both length and width) and improvement of the airstrip at Bamrauli, big aircrafts would be able to land and take off conveniently, putting the city on the civil aviation map of India. Allahabad DM Raj Shekhar told TOI: "Besides upgradation of the runway

Hotmail officially dead: Outlook the New-look Replaces the Hotmail

Hotmail is officially dead with outlook with new look replaces the hotmail and the users who type “hotmail.com” in their internet’s address bar might find that they need to use a Microsoft account name and password in order to sign in. “As of today, every single Hotmail account has been migrated to Outlook.com, Microsoft's newer and redesigned email experience,” reported Yahoo! Finance on May 2, 2013. "Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Some Microsoft services like Messenger, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, or Outlook.com might still show “Windows Live ID.” However, over time, all Microsoft services will be switching from “Windows Live ID” to “Microsoft account.” While it will take some time to streamline all services to “Microsoft account,” Hotmail.com has completed the process today. The advantage of a streamlined account sign-in name has the advantage of not having to remember different names and passwords

Parents to hold jan panchayat against school fee hike

Parents of children studying in private schools, under the banner of Abhiwawak Ekta Samiti, have decided to organize a 'jan panchayat' against fee hike at Subhash crossing in Civil Lines on Thursday. On Tuesday, the samiti launched a signature campaign at collectorate and roped in support of large number of lawyers. On Wednesday, the samiti would organize a similar campaign at High Court crossing to ensure support of high court lawyers and public alike.Samiti's convener Vijay Kumar Gupta said that the issue of fee hike would be discussed with students, political representatives, intelligentsia and various sections of the society. He blamed the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned and adamant attitude of school management for the crisis. Gupta rued that education mafias had turned the temple of education into a business. They are forcing parents and guardians into purchasing new school uniform, text books and copies from school shops at exorbitant price. Sta

Reconstitute Shirdi trust committee, HC tells govt

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the state government to reconstitute the management committee of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust within 15 days, keeping in mind the object underlined in the Act pertaining to the trust and the rules framed in January 2013. The court also directed the ad hoc committee not to take any policy decision. The petitioners' main contention was that the government had not framed the rules for the appointment of the management committee under the provisions of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) Act, 2004, said government pleader Sunil Kurundkar. "The court, however, allowed the petitioner to challenge the constitutional validity of the rules framed on January 1, 2013 for the appointment of the management committee," said lawyer Satish Talekar, who represented the petitioners including Sanjay Kale and Sandeep Kulkarni. Talekar told the court that the rules framed by the government had not been referred t

Civic body to foot insurance cost for Nahar survey team

Civic authorities have decided to provide insurance cover and adequate equipment to the team involved in the physical survey of the 400-year-old Nahar-e-Ambari and Nahar-e-Panchakki. The survey is being conducted following a high court directive. An expert committee, according to the April 24 HC direction, has been formed to supervise the survey. It has asked the civic body to provide equipment like helmets, flood lights, as the teams would have to explore through 11 km of dark and deep underground alleys of the nahars. The panel members had a meeting recently to chalk out modes of the survey of dark underground alleys of the nahar to get its actual status. Shaikh Ramzan, water expert and member of the committee, suggested that it would be risky for the team to explore the nahar without any safety gears. Ramzan had personally inspected the nahar system about 30 years ago as part of his study for his PhD thesis on the history of Aurangabad. He suggested that the civic body provide in

NCW probes lady doc death

Six months after lady doctor Madhabilata Pradhan died under mysterious circumstances at Puri, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday began its probe blamed the state government of hushing up the case."The government is trying to suppress the case because of involvement of a ruling party MLA," alleged NCW member Charu Walikhanna after interacting with Pradhan's family at its native Brahmagiri. She said the MLA got her transferred from Rebena Nuagaon to Kanas (both in Puri district), causing her mental trauma and death. The state Crime Branch is probing the case. Her body is yet to be found. Brahmagiri MLA Sanjay Dasburma, who had earlier denied charges, said, "I do not want to make any comment as the case is sub judice." Pradhan's brother had moved Orissa HC seeking his sister's body and a CBI probe.

'Cheat' funds roots run deep in state

Several financial management firms are into money circulation business in the state without RBI's nod, sources said. There is no official record about such companies."A non-banking financial company (NBFC) must be registered with the RBI and have specific authorization to accept deposits from the public. Not a single NBFC has been authorized by the RBI in Odisha to collect deposits," said a RBI officer."Even the Saradha Group was not registered with the RBI here," the officer said. The RBI has given permission to 17 NBFCs to do business only in terms of loans, investments and asset finance (a company conducting the business of equipment leasing or hire purchase finance), sources said.Cheating of investors by unscrupulous companies takes many forms, such as 'vanishing' after raising money through public offers; illegal collection of deposits in violation of Section 58A of the Companies Act, 1956; floating sham 'Collective Investment Schemes (CIS)'

Wary MP government drops plan to legalize live-in relations

With the Sangh Parivar "outraged by the audacious idea," the state government has dropped its radical plan to legalize live-in partnership in the state. The proposal, included in the final draft of the state women policy 2013-17, was essentially meant to protect the interest of deserted victims and put them at par with the divorced wife or a widow in the matter of property rights and inheritance. Submitted before the government for clearance last fortnight, it would have been formalized by June, but for raging saffron storm brewing over it.Party sources attribute the volte-face to "the acute discomfort and distress it has caused to the parivar functionaries, who would rather uphold morality than the constraints of vote bank politics. Not surprisingly such is the extent of reservation that the very mention of the issue is enough to send senior leaders, including ministers scurrying for cover. At least three ministers contacted by TOI to probe the reason for dramatic shif

Railways told to pay for mental trauma caused to passengers

The district consumer dispute redressal forum in Mandsaur has asked Indian Railways to pay cost of ticket, taxi fare, compensation for mental trauma and cost of litigation to two families, who were denied seats in Jabalpur-Veraval express train despite having reservations.Though the complainants filed the complaint with the consumer forum way back in 2009, the order came only on Wednesday. The family had booked six tickets from Ratlam to Veraval in Jabalpur-Veraval express on December 23, 2008."I boarded the train from Ratlam with my family, including two children. Our seats were occupied and we were forced to stand. We had lodged first complaint with the station master at Ahmedabad, but to no avail. We then had to break the journey at Rajkot and hire a taxi to Veraval," said Sandeep Bhargav, one of the complainant.The aggrieved family from Mandsaur, moved a complaint in the consumer forum against station managers of Ratlam and Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh and Ahmedabad and Vi

SGPC member complains against SAD leader

Amid infighting among Akali leaders over ticket distribution for Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections, local SGPC member Jarnail Singh Dogranwala has got a complaint registered against a local SAD leader and former block Samiti chairman alleging that the latter along with another leader thrashed him and his turban had fallen off. He alleged that even his beard was pulled. The incident took place outside the office of former MLA Sarabjit Singh Makkar, who contested the last elections from Kapurthala, and is the constituency in charge. While the case was registered late evening, supporters of Ranjit Singh Khojewal, who has been booked on Dograwala's complaint, protested outside office of the SSP after which SSP ordered an inquiry. Khojewal alleged that Dogranwala had got a fake case registered against him to settle political scores.

SGPC member complains against SAD leader

Amid infighting among Akali leaders over ticket distribution for Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections, local SGPC member Jarnail Singh Dogranwala has got a complaint registered against a local SAD leader and former block Samiti chairman alleging that the latter along with another leader thrashed him and his turban had fallen off. He alleged that even his beard was pulled. The incident took place outside the office of former MLA Sarabjit Singh Makkar, who contested the last elections from Kapurthala, and is the constituency in charge. While the case was registered late evening, supporters of Ranjit Singh Khojewal, who has been booked on Dograwala's complaint, protested outside office of the SSP after which SSP ordered an inquiry. Khojewal alleged that Dogranwala had got a fake case registered against him to settle political scores.

SEZs in Haryana can now opt for industrial colony licence

In a major relief to private developers in Haryana, the state cabinet on Thursday allowed grant industrial colony licences to SEZs, which have failed to take off in the state. Developers of around two dozen SEZs, most of them in Gurgaon district, will be benefited by the state government's move. Under the new policy, 15% land can be developed as residential areas, 45% for industrial units and 5% for commercial use. The remaining 35% will be left for roads, infrastructure services and public utilities, apart from open space.This follows recommendations by a panel constituted to consider and suggest alternative use of land, blocked under the notified special economic zones (SEZs) and revision of policy regarding grant of licences to industrial colonies. According to a senior industries department official, initially Haryana had received expressions of interest for 100 SEZs, but only 37 of them were eventually notified by the Union governmentTwo of the notified SEZs were later de-not